Hornets top NEB 11-1 in 5 innings

By: Ed Weaver  /  May 8, 2018

The Wellsboro Varsity Baseball team overpowered Northeast Bradford 11-1 in 5 innings on Monday, May 7.

The Panthers' lone run came in the very first inning as Ian Wilbur led off with a double then later scored on an RBI double by Tyler Devonshire. After that point sophomore Carson Davis allowed only three more hits and struck out 5.

"We started a little sluggish but once we got into the flow of the game, both our bats and pitching came alive," said head coach Philip Prough. "Carson found the lower part of the zone and pitched effectively from there. The first 2 innings he was leaving the ball high and they got some hits."

The Hornets knotted the game at 1-1 early as senior Dalton Prough led off the bottom of the first with a double then scored an at bat later on a base hit by senior Johnny Rowland.

Wellsboro again struck in the bottom of the third with two runs. With one out senior Parker Mann singled then scored on a Prough triple to put the Hornets on top. Prough then scored on a sac fly by Rowland to go up 3-1.

The Hornets had their best inning in the fourth as they produced 7 runs on on 5 hits. Senior Caleb Tennis, freshman Kaeden Mann, junior Taynton Repard, Prough, Rowland, sophomore Billy Lechler, and junior Cam Tennis all crossed home plate to put the Hornets up 10-1. Wellsboro added their final run in the fifth to end the game as Repard scored on a Rowland RBI single.

"Offensively, the bottom of our order produced again with 3 hits and 4 runs. That gave Dalton and Johnny the opportunity to do damage and they took advantage of it," continued Prough. "Northeast is a better team than tonight's score shows. So overall, it's a good win. Especially when you can clinch no worst than a share of the league title."

Prough and Rowland were both 2-for-2 with Prough driving home a run and Rowland helping on 3. Lechler and Caleb Tennis each finished 2-for-3 with an RBI, Kaeden Mann and Repard were both 1-for-3, and Parker Mann was 1-for-2.

The win improves the Hornets' record to 12-2 overall and 11-1 in the NTL Large School Division standings. The Hornets continue their home stand on Wednesday, May 9 against Athens for Senior Night.

"They're an improved team so we need to start quicker or it could spell trouble," Prough concluded.